House Republicans opposed to abortion rights failed Wednesday in their bid
to pass a controversial measure that would have required women seeking
abortions to be informed that some fetuses feel pain.

Although it was clear the bill would have stalled in the Senate, the
abortion opponents hoped the House vote would provide a symbolic victory before
control of Capitol Hill passes to Democrats in January. Instead, the vote dealt
social conservatives a final setback in a two-year congressional session that
has not produced a major piece of anti-abortion legislation.

The bill received majority support, 250-162. But that fell short of the
two-thirds majority vote required under rules that limited debate. . . .

The bill has not been a top priority for anti-abortion activists. Their
movement suffered a tougher loss earlier in the fall when a measure to
strengthen parental consent laws was derailed in the Senate after passing the
House.

The fetal pain bill was sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. . . . The bill would have required that the women be offered the choice of
having anesthesia administered to the fetus.